Facile size-controlled preparation of highly photocatalytically active praseodymium zirconate nanostructures for degradation and removal of organic pollutants

Highly photocatalytically active praseodymium zirconate (Pr2Zr2O7) nanostructures were prepared by a new simple route with praseodymium nitrate and zirconyl nitrate as praseodymium and zirconium sources (at lower temperature). Benzene tricarboxylic acid as new stabilization agent and capping agent in presence of propylene glycol as connecting agent were applied to fabricate the nanostructured praseodymium zirconate for the first time. The as-obtained nanostructured Pr2Zr2O7 was analyzed by UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis (EDX), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Results of this investigation reveal that grain size, purity and shape of Pr2Zr2O7 are controlled by altering preparation factors such as the kind of stabilization agent and alkaline agent. This is first attempt on the study of photocatalytic performance of the nanostructured praseodymium zirconate in various conditions. The effect of various factors including kind of pollutant, grain size of praseodymium zirconate nanostructures, praseodymium zirconate dosage and kind of light on photocatalytic behavior of products were evaluated. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.